Tag Archives: grades 3 -5

Title: The Adventures of Sir Lancelot the GreatAuthor: Gerald MorrisSeries: The Knights’ TalesRecommended for: Third Graders and Up; Boys Who Like Adventure and Swordfights; Fantasy FansPages: 92Call Number/Link: J MOR (To add Link highlight and click the chain up top.)

Synopsis:

“Many years ago, the storytellers say, the great King Arthur brought justice to England with the help of his gallant Knights of the Round Table. Of these worthy knights, there was never one so fearless, so chivalrous, so honorable, so…shiny as the dashing Sir Lancelot, who was quite good at defending the helpless and protecting the weak, just as long as he’d had his afternoon nap. Behold the very exciting and very funny adventures of Lancelot the Great, as only acclaimed Arthurian author Gerald Morris can tell them.” –Amazon

My Thoughts:

This series is a hilarious and well-done introduction to the Arthurian legends. Morris has obviously read (and better yet, likes!) Mallory’s Le Morte d’Arthur, yet he also understands how children’s minds work, as well as what appeals to them. The stories of Sir Lancelot presented here feel fresh, funny, and accessable for third-graders, but do not compromise the integrity of the original tales. For instance, when he meets the Lady Elaine of Shalott, Sir Lancelot gets shot in the–well, we’re not told exactly where he’s shot, but he has to sit on a pillow when he rides, and the accompanying illustrations provide more clues. After sustaining this injury, however, Sir Lancelot is able to return (anonymously) to a tournament at court, where he saves the day in more ways than one. Thus, the beauty of the original story is intact, but the readers are sure to howl with laughter once they “get it”.

Title: Cleopatra in spaceAuthor: Mike MaihackSeries: Cleopatra in spaceRecommended for: 3-7th GradePages: 168Call Number/Link: GN J CLEOPATRA V. 1Synopsis: When a young Cleopatra (yes, THAT Cleopatra) finds a mysterious tablet that zaps her to the far, REALLY far future, she learns of an ancient prophecy that says she is destined to save the galaxy from the tyrannical rule of the evil Xaius Octavian. She enrolls in Yasiro Academy, a high-tech school with classes like algebra, biology, and alien languages (which Cleo could do without), and combat training (which is more Cleo’s style). With help from her teacher Khensu, Cleo learns what it takes to be a great leader, while trying to figure out how she’s going to get her homework done, make friends, and avoid detention!

Review: Cleopatra in space is a happy meaI, it is a sausage pizza, an IKEA LACK table, it is an old familiar movie you run across on cable and stop to watch. It is a bog-standard “chosen one” plot featuring a plucky heroine, a mixed bag of competent sidekicks, an exasperated non-human mentor, and a hint of an overarching dark secret by the “good guys” leaders. Cleopatra in Space not a great book, but it is an effective one.

This review may well sounds like I am disrespecting CiS, but the thing is, this is a well-made book. It features the exact mixture of adventure and daring do that a child would enjoy. It features a female PoC as a lead and has a few more books in the series to come. As a graphic novel the complexity is decently easy with wonderful illustrations.

Reading books is fun . . . but what about making them? Armed with new colored pencils, Henrietta’s ready to try. Peek over her shoulder as she draws the story of a brave young girl, a three-headed monster, and an impossibly wide world of adventure. Whether read aloud to a toddler or discovered by a young reader, Liniers’ celebration of the creative process is sure to make everyone want to bring out their pencils.

Ricardo Siri Liniers, known as Liniers, is the author of Macanudo, a daily comic strip hugely popular in Argentina, now available in English. His US debut, The Big Wet Balloon, a TOON Book, was nominated for an Eisner Award and chosen as one of Parents‘ Top 10 Children’s Books. He lives in Buenos Aires with his wife and three daughters, Matilda, Clementina, and Emma, whom he credits as inspirations for this book.

My Thoughts: This is a fabulous book, especially since it is authentic Spanish. The author writes all his books in Spanish and they are translated. Wow, I am so happy. It is very cute and can be read by the elementary school group. A few of his books come in both languages and he has some awesome comic books that are numbered and are called Macanudo 1-11. I can’t wait till we are able to obtain more. These are short and sweet with some more difficult vocabulary words but should not be a problem for a Spanish speaking child.

Title: Knights of the Lunch Table: The Dodgeball Chronicles Author: Frank Cammuso Series: Knights of the lunch table Recommended for: Grade 4-6 Pages: 144 Call Number/Link: GN J CAM V. 1Synopsis: Artie opens a mysterious locker at Camelot Middle School and ends up in a dodgeball game with the school bullies.Review: “Knights of the lunch table” is a retelling of the King Arthur story with a grade school twist. Artie King is a new student at school. Instead of pulling the stone from Excalibur, Artie opens an unopenable “magic” locker. The story is clever in its retelling with most of the elements of the Arthurian legend here in one form or another. It is a decent yarn, though not particularly deep. I would recommend it for grades four through six. The colorful characters make it a possibility for reluctant readers, although the language is a bit complicated.

Synopsis: “Gwen Russell is thrilled to hear she will be heading to Paris with her family. Even though the main reason for the trip is to see her three older brothers play lacrosse, Gwen and her Mom have plans to tour the city when they can — As soon as they land, Gwen is swept up in the city she has always wanted to see, and even meets a cute boy named Henri. If that wasn’t enough excitement, Gwen finds out that her all-time favorite band is playing a one-night only concert inParis—and there are tickets available to the sold-old show for three lucky people. The catch? Fans who want a golden ticket have to work for it via a scavenger hunt around the City of Light.” — Provided by Amazon.

This is one of our new J Fic choices, which is why I chose it. Since I am used to reading adult fiction or picture books, it took a little adjustment to reading a book geared for later elementary school or early middle school – the difference being depth of material. I thought the story was okay but not wonderful. The is a fun, quirky character who helps Gwen in the hunt around the city for the tickets. I did not like that the adult tour director abandoned her group to go in search of the tickets. It would probably be a good recommendation for the 3rd or 4th grade girl – older if their reading level is a little lower. I am sure they would enjoy it.

Synopsis: Starting at a new school is scary, even more so with a giant hearing aid strapped to your chest! At her old school, everyone in Cece’s class was deaf. Here she is different. She is sure the kids are staring at the Phonic Ear, the powerful aid that will help her hear her teacher. Too bad it also seems certain to repel potential friends.

Then Cece makes a startling discovery. With the Phonic Ear she can hear her teacher not just in the classroom, but anywhere her teacher is in school–in the hallway…in the teacher’s lounge…in the bathroom! This is power. Maybe even superpower! Cece is on her way to becoming El Deafo, Listener for All. But the funny thing about being a superhero is that it’s just another way of feeling different… and lonely. Can Cece channel her powers into finding the thing she wants most, a true friend?

Based on Cece Bell’s life, you can’t go wrong with recommending this book. Filled with both humor and serious moments, kids will easily be able to see themselves in Cece as she struggles to fit in and find a friends. Great discussion book for kids about those who may have disabilities and how they really aren’t that different from us after all. It’s one that will have to be hand sold, but once they start they’ll love it. (If hand selling, I’d focus on the fact that she can hear the teacher every where making her a super hero-like/secret agent powers.)